Race to Replace TSC CEO Nancy Macharia Heats Up as Retirement Nears
With just four months left before Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia exits office, the competition to find her successor is gaining momentum.
Nancy Macharia’s Tenure and Upcoming Exit
Having served two consecutive five-year terms since her appointment in June 2015, Macharia is set to retire at the end of June 2025. Reports indicate that she is currently on leave in preparation for her departure, leaving Commissioner Ibrahim Gedi Mumin to represent the TSC in an acting capacity.
As the employer of over 350,000 teachers, the position of TSC CEO is highly influential, and stakeholders—including teachers’ unions—are calling for a fair and transparent selection process.
What Teachers’ Unions Expect from the Next TSC CEO
Hesbon Otieno, Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), emphasized that the next CEO must be a team player who engages stakeholders effectively. He called for a management style that enhances professionalism while addressing issues such as collective bargaining agreements, policy development, and teachers’ welfare.
Similarly, Moses Nthurima, Acting Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), acknowledged the reforms Macharia implemented but highlighted the need for a leader more receptive to teachers’ concerns. He suggested that the job advertisement for her successor might be released by late April.
Concerns Over Political Interference in Teacher Recruitment
Despite Macharia’s achievements, Nthurima criticized her tenure for allegedly allowing political influence in teacher recruitment, claiming that appointment letters were sometimes issued through political channels. He insisted that recruitment should be purely merit-based, ensuring fairness in the hiring process.
Who Qualifies to Be the Next TSC CEO?
According to the TSC Act, candidates must:
✅ Be Kenyan citizens
✅ Hold an education-related degree from a recognized Kenyan university
✅ Have at least 10 years of experience in education, administration, public service, human resource, or financial management
✅ Meet ethical standards outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution
The TSC CEO serves a five-year term, renewable once. Their responsibilities include leading the secretariat, acting as the commission’s accounting officer, managing records, and implementing commission decisions. Grounds for removal include misconduct, physical or mental incapacity, or gross misbehavior.
What’s Next?
As the countdown to Macharia’s exit continues, education stakeholders are keenly watching how the selection process unfolds. Will the next CEO bring much-needed reforms, or will the sector face more turbulence?
